mezza1982

Hi, we're travelling to New York in early April for 12 days. We're spending 3-4 in NYC itself and then are looking to get out and see some other things. We were thinking about maybe working towards Niagara and Toronto or maybe Boston or Washington, but don't know what else there is to do on the way or in the area. Can someone recommend a good trip? We're not into long hikes up mountains although lakes would be nice. As first timers to the US, we'd like to see some things that are typically American so that we get a genuine experience, not some horrible touristy rubbish. Thanks for your help!!

china_cat

Is it mostly scenery that you are after, or historical, cultural sightseeing? Interested in more cities after New York, or want to stay in the country? And how are you traveling? rental car, I hope or mass transit? There is a ton of stuff to do and see on the New England coast, in the mountains of New Hampshire or Vermont, in Boston, Washington. its kind of hard to narrow it down for you. But I'll take a shot.

Also, April can still be cold and wet in New England so it might be better to go south. Of course, it can be nasty and wet in Pennsylvania and Washington DC too, but your odds of warmth and flowers in bloom is a little better.

you could drive into Pennsylvania to visit Longwood Gardens and Winterthur which are quite lovely. From there you could go to Washington DC for musuems and monuments or you could go to Philadelphia for the liberty bell, Independence hall and the Art Museum. If the timing is right, you could be in DC in time for the cherry blossoms.

If scenery is more what you are after, you could drive north instead. Maybe spend a day or 2 in Hudson valley to see the historic homes, then up into the Berkshires and on into Vermont. In the Berkshires you could see scenery, lakes, gardens and a couple museums such as the Norman Rockwell, or the Clark. Vermont for mountain drives, and perhaps a visit to Burlington to see Lake Champlain. There's a number of interesting maritime and military exhibits in the area around Champlain if that is your thing.

third..take the train to Boston, spend a couple days there, then get a car, and drive up the coast visiting Portsmouth NH and into Maine. You get coastal scenery, lighthouses, and seafood. Plus possibly add the Peabody Essex museum in Salem MA, and the historic homes in Portsmouth.

mclaurie

3-4 days is not NEARLY enough time to see NYC. You really do have to tell us how you plan to travel, what your priorities are and should have a look at weather at that time of year in the northeast. IQt,not nearly as warm as you may think. Travelling south is a better idea imo.

TarheelsInNj

I think if you're looking for something "typically American," it's hard to beat New England. I love the PP suggestions! You could work in a trip to Boston, then venture over to New Hampshire/Vermont (or drive west along MA to the Berkshires).

Then again, Philly and DC are both classic American cities and there's plenty to see and do there... but you won't necessarily want to sacrifice time in NYC to do that. It really does depend on your priorities for this trip!

isabel

Interior New England in April can be iffy (I know, I live here). Early in the month you might get some forsythia and daffodils but it will still be mostly grey. By late April things will be greening up but still not 'the best'. The coast greens up sooner than the mountains. Boston in mid to late April can be delightful. But you need to avoid being IN Boston on Marathon weekend (around the 15th).

You have a total of 12 days? Have you been to NYC before? If you have and really only want 4 days there you could take the train to Boston, rent a car and visit both north and south of Boston - up in Maine about as far as Camden (past Portland but not as far up as Acadia), and also the North Shore of Boston (aka Cape Ann) and also Cape Cod or even the islands for a few days, or Newport RI. But I would stick to the coast in April and not do Vermont or NH interior.

If you have not been to NYC yet I suggest at least 6 days there, then some of the coast (but maybe not all the areas you could do with 8 days).

If you are flying back out of NYC I would return the car to where you got it (Boston) and train back down. If you don't have your flights yet then I'd do open jaw, into NYC and out of Boston.

nytraveler

I think you need to consider the weather - NY may be colder than you are used to. The trees won;t be in leaf yet and few flowers in bloom. the further north you go the colder it will be.

If you really want to get out of NYC I would head south to DC. If you are lucky you will get the beginning of spring there - cherry blossom festival. (In much of New England April is considered mud season - although of course Boston is always in season.)

If you want real sprin near NYC you really need to wait for May - when trees will be in leaf, grass green, a bunch of flowers out and milder temps.

mezza1982

Thanks for the ideas. I think we would like to see at least one other city, whether we do Washington and Philadelphia, or Boston and Toronto I'm not sure. I think the weather might be a consideration, if Niagara / Toronto is going to be really cold (ideas of temperatures would be useful) that might rule it out. We would be able to hire a car so getting around is easy although I don't want to drive in New York. Ideally, we would spend 4 nights in NY city with a view to having another 1 or 2 nights at the end of our trip as we fly out of there again so would have a chance to see more of it if we wanted to.

Also, I'd be interested to know whether booking hotels in advance is a necessity. We definitely will for New York, but would we need to in Washington or other cities or can you get good rates on arrival? We might want to remain flexible rather than booking everything beforehand so if we love somewhere we can stay longer or vice versa.

Thanks for your help!

Ackislander

Boston will be fine in April if you miss the third weekend, which is Patriots Day holiday and the Boston Marathon. The Marathon is interesting but the city will be packed, and many of the museum and historical sites will be closed.

New England north of Boston will not be pleasant. There will be no leaves on the trees, so the scenery will not be scenic, and there will be mud and leftover snow on the trails. In Vermont, April is sometimes called The Fifth Season; in NH, it is known as Mud Season.

If you have not been to Washington DC, this is a nice time to go, and the museums are free, a relief after NYC. It is azalea season in Richmond Virginia, if you like gardens. Have you been to Jefferson's house at Monticello? Williamsburg?

You could take the train from NYC to Washington, spend a few days, then take the train on to Richmond and rent a car. Iff you stop at Staples Mills station, which has the largest number of trains, I believe Enterprise will meet you with a rental car. Train travel is very cheap if you are 62 or over.

Richmond is centrally placed for Williamsburg to the southeast and Charlottesville to the northwest, each about an hour away. The city has a brilliant -- and free -- art museum, several good historical museums, and many, many small and interesting restaurants. Canadian friends say it looks and feels a great deal like Toronto, where they live.

Washington lodging is much cheaper on weekends as the business travelers mostly check out on Friday morning, so that might enter into your planning. Arrive on Thursday, leave on a Monday morning (many museums are closed on Mondays anyway).

JetBlue has cheap flights to NY JFK to connect with your flight home.

zootsi

Rural New England is very beautiful (I live here), but early April is probably the worst month to visit. Washington DC would be a great option, you could easily spend several days there. All the amazing museums on the mall are free. For some rural countryside, you could explore some place like Harper's Ferry West Virginia, or even Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge mountains. Toronto is a very long haul from NYC, and could be wintry.

bmw732002

I am with zootsi on this one.

NYC and surrounding areas could fill up a whole week easily. New England is always a treat for the eyes, Boston is a great city...but April could be still snowy and icy.

DC is a nice alternative. You can catch a train from midtown NYC to downtown DC. Enjoy the mall and Museums

-john

Cringo

Spend as much time as you can in NY especially if you have never been here. There is so much to see. Don't miss the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to the many many sites (the list is endless, see a Broadway show. Then there are the boroughs -- Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, etc. Philadelphia is a short trip away. Lots of history and there are buses that travel from NYC to Philadelphia. DC would be a little longer trip. Lots to do there as well and April might be cherry blossom time.

eliztravels

FYI, I read elsewhere in this forum that cherry blossom time is the busiest in Washington, and advance bookings are essential. Toronto weather in April, as mentioned, can be unpleasant., but no worse than New England. I'd say Washington is a safer bet.

Amy

Here is April in Philadelphia:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/334838255hjfcWf

and this:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/563154710eoxUAu

From the scullers on the Schuylkill to the vendors in the Italian Market, from huge City Hall to the tiny trinity houses, it's very real and vibrant.

(So, okay, this was probably later April, not really early--but with the way the winter's going so far, spring might be early...it was 67 two days ago.) But of course there's a wealth of indoor things to do, as well.

mezza1982

Thanks everyone for your comments. We're starting to get thoughts on what we might do. How would this sound? 5-6 days in NYC, then catch the train to Washington for 2-3 days. Hire a car and drive west to the Shenandoah national park to drive around and admire the scenery for a couple of days before going back to NYC to fly home.

BKD

I say get on a Jet Blue cheap flight and come down to New Orleans for lots of great free music at the French Quarter Festival. See a different part of the states. It's cheaper, more interesting and you don't need a car.

Khiori

I think it sounds like a great idea as far as your time in NYC, and taking a train to DC. But then I think you will find so much to see in DC that it's not possible to drive to Shenandoah!

You're seeing 2 of the highlights and might want to make a driving tour of country roads another trip.

Let me reassure you that around DC you can be much more in countryside than in NYC. Go across the river to Alexandria for some small town flavor. Take a boat cruise on the Potomac. In fact, river boats go from Georgetown to Alexandria. Take a trip to Mount Vernon, lots of park-like grounds. Arlington Cemetery. Be sure to go inside the Botanical Gardens on The Mall too. Smithsonian is free and includes many buildings.

I would book a hotel in DC in advance. Have a nice trip!